Kassoum Yakwe

Height:
6-7
Weight:
212
Class:
Fifth Year
Hometown:
Bamako, Mali

Before UConn: Comes to UConn with one year of eligibility remaining following three seasons at St. John’s University... Earned his degree in Sports Management from St. John’s in three years... In three-year St. John’s career, played in 83 games, starting 49, scored 374 points (4.5), grabbed 296 rebounds (3.6), blocked 149 shots (1.8) and shot 44.3 percent overall. Raised his free throw percentage each season and reached a solid 71.4 percent in 2017-18... Named to Big East All-Rookie Team in 2015-16... Owns two career double-doubles, which he recorded in back-to-back games.

As a Junior in 2017-18 (at St. John’s): Hampered by an ankle injury that cut down on his playing time... Played in 24 games, averaging 2.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game... Had eight points, 5 rebounds and hit 6 of 7 free throws against Oregon State... Had 7 points, 3 rebounds and blocked 3 shots vs. DePaul... Grabbed a season-high 7 rebounds and scored 3 points against Providence.

As a Sophomore in 2016-17 (at St. John’s): Appeared in 33 games, with 31 starts for the Red Storm... Scored 137 points (4.2), hauled down 107 rebounds (3.2) and blocked 64 shots (1.9)... Blocked shot total was second on the team, second in the Big East and 45th in the country... Blocked shot total also ranked 10th on single-season record book at St. John’s... Breakout game against Marquette with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and shot 54.5 percent overall... Season-high 8 rebounds at Syracuse... Had 8 points, 7 rebounds against Penn State... Season-high 7 blocks against Delaware State.

As a Freshman in 2015-16 (at St. John’s): Had 16 starts among his 26 games played for St. John’s, averaging 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks... Led entire Big East and ranked No. 16 in the country in blocked shots with 66, the eighth-best total in St. John’s single-season history... Named to Big East All-Rookie Team... Had back-to-back double-doubles with 11 points, 11 rebounds against DePaul and career-highs of 16 points, 15 rebounds against Seton Hall... Had season-high 7 blocks against Marquette... Had six double-figure scoring games... Named to Big East Weekly Honor Roll.

Before College: Attended Our Savior New American School (Centereach, N.Y.), playing under Rev. Ronald Stelzer... Teammates at Our Savior with Cheick Diallo, now of the New Orleans Pelicans, a fellow countryman from Mali... Averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds as a senior. Also played for AAU team, the PSA Cardinals and earned status as a four-star, Top 100 recruit... Named the 2015 Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Defensive Player of the Year.

Personal Information: Kassoum Yakwe... Born Oct. 10, 1997... Son of Eveline Arama and Youssouff Yakwe... has older sister, Bintou, younger sister, Aichata, and two younger brothers, Paul and Laya.